Happiest of Mondays to you all! Is it really December tomorrow?
Eric and I got back late last night after a wonderful weekend home in Chicago. We ate lots and had a blast catching up with family. There was lots of merriment and of course, an epic dance party at the Solberg house. Our Thanksgivings are never dull and to top of the night, my Aunt Jen did the splits on her kitchen counter. Sorry I don’t have pictures of that. BUT SHE IS AMAZING.
^^ The whole crew was home for Thanksgiving :) ^^
We spent our entire Friday relaxing by the fire and taking turns playing games and talking. My grandparents Josie and Biff were in town and my grandmother Tommy joined us for the day to craft ornaments. She used to have her own ornament business when her kids were growing up and it was a perfect morning getting inspired by her techniques. I created ‘Girdy the Birdy’, my little rebellious ball of fluff ;) Sam’s friends came in from Wisconsin and it was so awesome to have a day where we literally had no agenda. No obligations. Just time for each other. And arts & crafts :)
We also got to do some of my favorite festive holiday traditions such as having a beer at the Christkindlemarket downtown and visiting the Macy’s windows. We’ve done that for many years. And recently I have loved visiting the Art Institute to take a picture in front of the Lions who are adorned in wreaths. I love how festive Chicago gets at Christmastime!
Eric found tickets to the Vienna Boys’ Choir, so our family went to the symphony to hear them sing on Saturday after our traditional festivities. It was really neat.
The crew dwindled by Sunday morning as everyone returned back to their busy lives so it was just me, my parents, Eric, and my sister Brit, that finished the weekend doing fun things in the city. Restoration Hardware just spent quite a bit of time & energy renovating a new store on Dearborn. We tried having brunch at their new cafe but it was full when we got there. The inside is unreal. You can grab a mimosa from the bar and stroll the store sipping on your drink. The cafe & bar area are adorned in gorgeous fixtures and chandeliers. I can’t wait to visit again and be able to sit under the glass ceiling in the cafe!
^^ This chandelier hangs in the bar! Can you see the wine bottles lining the walls in this picture? Such a gorgeous interior with beautiful lighting! ^^
We returned to Macy’s after dining at Yolk and I bought my favorite chocolates- Frango Mints. Then we strolled downtown Michigan Avenue and did some window shopping. The afternoon was topped off with a beer at Butch McGuires which is one of the most festive bars in the Chicago. To do list- complete!
I love Chicago Decembers. I think of Bing Crosby’s version of Silver Bells as I admire the city’s enchantment.
Cheers to kickstarting the Holiday Season! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to December here in Austin and all the excitement of Christmastime.
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